en
Co-funded by the European Union
Co-funded by the European Union
Location
Jamaica
Topic
Business Regulation and Policy, Small and Medium Enterprises and Start-Ups, Social Economy
Status
Completed
Year
2021
Jamaica faces several social, environmental and cultural issues inimical to its development. Social enterprises are playing a crucial role in bringing attention to these issues and trying to solve them, through positive contribution to aggregate demand, social inclusion and economic gains. A proper legislative framework and formalisation would unleash several spin-off benefits for the sector, including a registrable legal status with attendant benefits and programmes designed specifically for the needs of the sector.
The ICR Facility supported the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC) and the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) in achieving a business environment reform for the social enterprise sector. The assistance involved supporting the development of a legislative framework for the social enterprise sector through a series of workshop, public-private dialogues and awareness creation. The framework aims at promoting the operation of the social enterprise sector in Jamaica, which contributes to solving several social, environmental and cultural issues in the country. The legislative framework and formalisation of social enterprises shall unleash several spin-off benefits for the sector, including a registrable legal status with attendant benefits and programs designed specifically for the needs of the sector. With the reform the sector ought to be in a better position to create opportunities for an inclusive and sustainable business environment, such as contributing to job creation and economic growth as well as improving livelihoods especially for people in poor and marginalised communities.
